she of the inescapable 2011 online smash hit has a new dance-heavy EP, 鈥淪alvation." For an artist who first emerged at age 13 promising dance-able fuel, she continues deliver 鈥� just with a very different approach.
Now 27, the singer, songwriter and DJ has evolved past her early viral days to find new tools to articulate fun: thumping techno, garage revivalism, house bangers.
鈥淪alvation鈥� is Black鈥檚 fourth EP. It offers seven well-produced albeit short tracks; in an ideal world, it would've been a full album with more latitude and aural landscape to play with.
Even in its abridged fashion, Black uses 鈥淪alvation鈥� as a declaration of autonomy, exploring themes related to the very challenges of her sudden rise more than a decade ago.
The title track 鈥淪alvation,鈥� is a hot-and-bothered romance with a nice backbeat atop acid bass and Black delivering a convincing sprechgesang.
Three tracks later, during 鈥淎merican Doll,鈥� Black addresses expectations she鈥檚 had to endure and combat. 鈥淪it up/Act right/Smile big/Spotlight/Don鈥檛 speak/Be nice,鈥� Black sings in the opening. She examines the love-hate relationship that fans have with her and her journey: 鈥淒id you like me better then?/Do you wanna hate me now?鈥� she continues. 鈥淧laying pretty and pretend/With a pillow on my mouth.鈥�
If there is a standout, it is 鈥淪ugar Water Cyanide,鈥� ripe for a deep remix and accessible with pitched-up vocals. The dance floor beckons.
For many years now, Black has been in the driver鈥檚 seat of her career, distancing herself from the pressure that arrives with becoming very famous, very fast, while very young. And she may continue to keep both hands on the wheel, as long as she can keep manipulative industry forces at a safe distance.
On this release, her 鈥淪alvation鈥� appears to be that freedom. And it makes for a fun listen.
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Ron Harris, The Associated Press
